October 4, 2007

Marty Peretz reminisces about how he felt on watching Anita Hill testify, back in 1991. It's his strategy for writing about the Clarence Thomas memoir without reading it. And he's got a backup anecdote to flesh out his musings about the aura around the unread book:

A large Cambridge dinner party a few years ago comes to mind. I won't say at whose house. I wanted to make sure that I wasn't seated next to Al Sharpton, an interloper. (Sharpton had arrived with someone else but uninvited. The hostess was furious.) I was seated next to Anita Hill, an attractive woman and an interesting woman. We spoke about how the loss of the King James version in our culture had degraded the writing and speaking of the English language. Then, as if our conversation lacked something, she raised the name of Clarence Thomas. Sad, no?

38 comments:

Well I side with the hostess. I would have been furious if Rev. Al had interloped. How did she manage?

My brain virtually tingles with the "mind's eye" scene of an upset hostess, seething, tight jawed having the maid set yet another place (or did Rev. Al just stop for drinks?) and Marty getting the real deal scoup from Anita and the hostess to busy with the boorish Al to get to listen.

Somehow it doesn't surprise me that Marty Peretz didn't read the Clarence Thomas book. After all, The New Republic publishes fictional accounts written by phony soldiers. I doubt if Peretz even reads his own publication.

Sheridan Whiteside: I simply will not sit down to dinner with Midwestern barbarians, I think too highly of my digestive system. Maggie Cutler: Harry Clarke is one of your oldest friends. Sheridan Whiteside: My stomach is an older one. Maggie Cutler: And Mrs Stanley is President of the women's club. Sheridan Whiteside: I wouldn't care if she was the whole cabinet. (The Man Who Came to Dinner 1942)

His Majesty's Constancy, Notwithstanding Calumniation, for the Survey of the English TranslationsThis, and more to this purpose, His Majesty that now reigneth (and long, and long may he reign, and his offspring forever, Himself and children, and children's children always) knew full well, according to the singular wisdom given unto him by God, and the rare learning and experience that he hath attained unto; namely that whosoever attempteth anything for the public (especially if it pertain to Religion, and to the opening and clearing of the word of God) the same setteth himself upon a stage to be gloated upon by every evil eye, yea, he casteth himself headlong upon pikes, to be gored by every sharp tongue.

"Sad, no?" That depends on what she had to say about Thomas after raising his name. In all events, Hill is in a dilemma she can't get out of. For better or worse, she will always be linked to Thomas just as Monica will always to linked to that other him. And in that link-up, Hill (like Monica) is always destined to take second place. What is she supposed to do with the elephant that will always be with her? If she hadn't raised the topic, Peretz could have made the same comment.

Debbie: I'm not gonna go to the end of the f*cking line, who the f*ck are you? I have just as much of a right to be here as any of these little skanky girls. What, am I not skanky enough for you, you want me to hike up my f*cking skirt? What the f*ck is your problem? I'm not going anywhere, you're just some roided out freak with a f*cking clipboard. And your stupid little f*cking rope! You know what, you may have power now but you are not god. You're a doorman, okay. You're a doorman, doorman, doorman, doorman, doorman, so... F*ck You! You f*cking fag with your f*cking little faggy gloves. Doorman: I know... you're right. I'm so sorry, I f*ckin' hate this job. I don't want to be the one to pass judgement, decide who gets in. Shit makes me sick to my stomach, I get the runs from the stress. It's not cause you're not hot, I would love to tap that ass. I would tear that ass up. I can't let you in cause you're old as f*ck. For this club, you know, not for the earth. Debbie: What? Doorman: You old, she pregnant. Can't have a bunch of old pregnant bitches running around. That's crazy, I'm only allowed to let in five percent black people. He said that, that means if there's 25 people here I get to let in one and a quarter black people. So I gotta hope there's a midget in the crowd. (Knocked Up 2007)(Example of the concepts of the Bell Curve)

Al Sharpton, renowned anti-semite and when presented with the judgement in the Steve Pagonis case, refused to pay saying he owned nothing. When asked where his Armani suit came from, he said he "had the use of several suits".

The intent behind this article was not about Clarence Thomas or Anita Hill but more about Peretz's trying to point out how important and relevant he is.

It is sad when these old liberals like him, and Micky Kaus still think they are relevant. Their day in the sun has come and gone. TNR is now a piece of garbage that has 1/2 as many readers as it did before the Iraq War.

The younger, livier, and may I say better looking liberals have walked on by these uninteresting, angry trolls.

Matt Drayton: What the hell is it today? Less than 12% of the people in this city are colored people. I can't even have a dish of Oregon Boosenberry without runnin' into one of them. (Guess Who's Coming to Dinner 1967)

Militant: Dig it, dope peddler. We're out here building a new nation for black people. It's time for you to start payin some dues, nigga! Youngblood Priest: I ain't givin' you shit! I'll tell you what you do, you go get you a gun and all those black folks you keep doin' so much talkin' about get guns, and come back ready to go down, then I'll be right down front killin' whitey. But until you can do that, you go sing your marching songs some place else. Now we're through talkin'. (Super Fly 1972)

Sammy Davis Jr.: If you were prejudiced, Archie, when I came into your home, you would have called me a coon or a nigger. But you didn't say that, I heard you clear as a bell, you came right out and called me colored. And if you were prejudiced, you'd go around thinking that you were better than everybody. But after spending these wonderful moments with you, Archie, I can tell ya - you ain't better than nobody. Archie Bunker: Can I have your hand on that, Mr. Davis? (All in the Family)